Beachgoers Outraged After Man Spears Seagull on Ocean City Beach

I will not sit here and pretend I like seagulls, but this story is beyond appalling.

According to witnesses, this unidentified man used the TIP of his umbrella to spear the poor animal after it reportedly tried to eat a sandwich. To make things worse, he did this in front of his wife and two grandchildren, who were visibly uncomfortable.

Immediately, witnesses approached the man about what his gross action. Police officers eventually questioned him, and he was free to go after he claimed it was to protect his family. Witnesses disagree and say he definitely did it on purpose.

One witnesses posted the incident to Facebook below:

Unfortunately the man did end up leaving the beach with his family, and wasn't reprimanded for his actions.

Philly Voice mentions that seagulls are protected by federal law, and using them as a target is considered a 'disorderly persons offense.' No idea what happened in this scenario, but I would have been just as outraged as the witnesses.

Animals are defenseless creatures, and while seagulls are annoying they don't deserve to be treated as target practice. Shame on this man.